The Story of Sergeant Rio Prasaja, Who Survived 2.5 Hours Buried Up to His Chin by a Landslide

Sergeant One Rio Prasaja (42) could not hold back his tears when the search and rescue team finally arrived at the landslide and flash flood site in Sibalanga Village, North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, on Friday (28/11/2025). His 1.5-year-old child and wife had been buried under the mud from the flash flood and landslide that struck the village for four days.

Rio cried as he recounted how he survived being buried in mud up to his chin in the midst of rain and darkness for 2.5 hours. He was eventually rescued. However, he lost his child, wife, and four relatives.

Rio was passing through the Tarutung-Sibolga road on Tuesday (18/11) evening. He was returning with his wife, child, and six other relatives from Medan to his duty station at the 0212/Tapanuli Selatan Military Command.

They chose that route because they received information that the Tarutung-Padangsidimpuan road was impassable due to landslides.

Upon arriving in Sibalanga Village, they received information that the road ahead had been blocked by a landslide. Rio and his family chose to stop at a small shop. The first landslide struck the village on Tuesday just before midnight.

A landslide struck three houses above the shop. "I heard cries for help. They mentioned that there were residents trapped," said Rio.

His instincts as a member of the military motivated him to assist the residents in dealing with the landslide. Observing the conditions that made rescue efforts unfeasible, they ultimately decided to continue the following morning.

Rio and his family decided to sleep at the stall and continue their journey the next day. Rio heard the sound of rumbling from the hill five times. He then carried his restless child.

"The louder rumbling was heard again, followed by mud that immediately struck the stall where we were resting. My child was swept from my hands and carried away by the mud," said Rio.

The child, wife, and four other relatives were buried under mud. Rio was also buried up to his chin while standing. Both of his hands were also buried, but his palms remained raised beside his head.

It was pitch black and the rain was getting heavier. He heard several people coming to help.

Rio could only speak softly. Blood flowed down his face from a gash on his forehead. People did not hear Rio's voice, muffled among the rubble of the house. "I was calling for help, but they initially did not hear," said Rio.

At the last moments when people were about to leave, Rio found a flashlight near his hand. He turned on the flashlight and shouted louder. Residents and officers from the local military command and police station immediately found Rio.

They attempted to dig with a hoe, but the handle was very slippery and could not be used. Amid the risk of being buried by subsequent landslides, they tried to help Rio by digging the earth with their hands. They stopped the bleeding by piling dirt on Rio's forehead.

"I do not know Rio. But after I saw his face, I remembered he is my former comrade. However, it has been a very long time since we last met," said Sergeant Suharmon, a soldier at the local military command.

Suharmon and other residents began digging the ground around 2:00 AM. They faced difficulties as the mud kept closing in again. They dug faster with their hands. "We were almost desperate. But we regained our spirit seeing Rio's will to survive. He wants to help his wife and child," said Suharmon.

After more than 2.5 hours, they managed to dig through the mud up to their waists. Suharmon discovered a hand holding Rio's leg beneath the mud.

After more than 2.5 hours, they managed to dig through the mud up to their waists. Suharmon discovered a hand holding Rio's leg beneath the mud. After Suharmon informed that there was a hand holding Rio's leg, the soldier cried hysterically.

They finally managed to pull Rio from the mud around 04:30. They took Rio to a shelter in a church. At that time, all the villagers had gathered there. After four days, joint officers successfully penetrated the village and conducted search and rescue operations.

Four days of penetrating the road

Dinda Hutabarat (25) and her four younger siblings cried hysterically upon arriving at their home, which had collapsed and been buried in mud in Sibalanga Village. She received news that her father, mother, and one of her younger siblings were missing and are suspected to be buried under the landslide.

Since hearing the information, they have been trying to reach the isolated village. However, they have been held back for days because the Tarutung-Sibolga road, which is the only access to the village, is completely cut off. Flash floods and landslides have occurred in dozens of locations from Kilometer 14 in North Tapanuli to Kilometer 62 in the city of Sibolga.

Dinda and her siblings walked on foot at several points to reach their home. After four days, the road finally opened up to Sibalanga Village at Kilometer 38. "We hope that our father, mother, and younger sibling can be found soon," said Dinda.

North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution stated that the current priority of the government is to take emergency response actions, namely opening access to disaster locations, rescuing and evacuating victims, as well as supplying basic necessities to the disaster sites.

Three national roads leading to Tapanuli Tengah, Tapanuli Selatan, and the city of Sibolga have been completely cut off for five days as of Saturday (29/11/2025). Aside from these three routes, there are no other roads accessible to vehicles. "The government's priority at this time is to reopen access roads," said Bobby in Medan.

Until the fifth day, the only access to the area was via air routes. The Indonesian Air Force helicopters were able to enter Tapanuli Tengah after the weather began to clear. The helicopters supplied essential goods such as canned sardines, sugar, instant noodles, cooking oil, diapers, and sanitary pads. They have delivered 2.2 tons of aid.

The opening of land access to the western coast is also ongoing. Land access will serve as the main route for supplying basic needs and delivering search and rescue assistance. In North Sumatra, 12 districts/cities have experienced flash floods, flooding, and landslides. A total of 62 people have been reported dead. Emergency disaster response efforts are still being carried out…